Lawrence committee tables proposal for dedicated water billing analyst pending job language and funding

The Ordinance & Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Lawrence City Council voted Feb. 24 to table a proposed billing analyst position for the water department after members said they had not received the drafted job language and needed clarity on funding.

William Hale, Water and Sewer Commissioner, told the committee the position would run FlexNet meter reports, monitor alarms for high usage and tampering, and review anomalies across roughly 12,600 quarterly bills to prevent billing errors and capture lost revenue. “We need somebody 100% of their time to be running these reports on the back end,” Hale said. He said the role would also support an anticipated stormwater utility and help detect leaks, meter issues and billing mistakes before bills are issued.

Councilor Gregor del Rosario asked that the ordinance explicitly require minimum qualifications for the new post. Hale said a job description had been drafted and included a minimum requirement of a high school diploma with one to three years of related accounting, bookkeeping or billing experience (or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience); he said he would resend the document to the committee. Hale also told members that funding for the position appears likely in the next fiscal year but not in the current year, and that the position would go through the budget process.

After discussion, Vice Chair Franklin Miguel moved to table item 48-26 until members receive the drafted ordinance language and confirmation of funding; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes. The water department committed to provide the job description and budget details before the committee’s next meeting.

Next steps: the committee will reconsider the position after members have reviewed the drafted ordinance language and the chief finance officer’s funding guidance.